''Adenostoma sparsifolium'', commonly known as redshanks or less commonly, ribbonwood or ribbon bush, is a multi-trunked tree or shrub native to dry slopes or

chaparral Chaparral ( ) is a shrubland plant community and geographical feature found primarily in the U.S. state of California, in southern Oregon, and in the northern portion of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico. It is shaped by a Mediterranean c ...

Southern California Southern California (commonly shortened to SoCal) is a geographic and Cultural area, cultural region that generally comprises the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. It includes the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the second most po ...

and northern

Baja California Baja California (; 'Lower California'), officially the Free and Sovereign State of Baja California ( es, Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California), is a state in Mexico. It is the northernmost and westernmost of the 32 federal entities of Mex ...

Description

Shaggy falling shanks or ribbons of bark are one of the strongest characteristics of the ''Adenostoma sparsifolium'' tree, hence the common names. As the species name "sparsifolium" suggests, it has tiny, filamentous leaves. Redshanks are closely related to the more abundant

Chamise ''Adenostoma fasciculatum'', commonly known as chamise or greasewood, is a flowering plant native to California and Baja California. This shrub is one of the most widespread plants of the California chaparral ecoregion. Chamise produces a specia ...

(''

Adenostoma fasciculatum ''Adenostoma fasciculatum'', commonly known as chamise or greasewood, is a flowering plant native to California and Baja California. This shrub is one of the most widespread plants of the California chaparral ecoregion. Chamise produces a specia ...

'').

Ecology

Redshanks inhabits higher elevations of chaparral just above and below the snowline in the

Peninsular Ranges The Peninsular Ranges (also called the Lower California province) are a group of mountain ranges that stretch from Southern California to the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula; they are part of the North American Coast Ranges, which ...

and does best on north-facing "ubac" slopes at around 4,000 feet of elevation. Associates at its lower range include

California Scrub Oak ''Quercus berberidifolia'', the California scrub oak, is a small evergreen or semi-evergreen shrubby oak in the white oak section of ''Quercus''. It is a native of the scrubby hills of California, and is a common member of chaparral ecosystems ...

and Hoary Ceanothus, and mingles with manzanitas at its upper range. Like its relative, chamise, it is capable of resprouting after a fire.

References

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External links

Jepson Manual Treatment — ''Adenostoma sparsifolium''''Adenostoma sparsifolium'' Photo gallery
{{Taxonbar, from=Q624956 sparsifolium Flora of Baja California Flora of California Natural history of the California chaparral and woodlands Natural history of the California Coast Ranges Natural history of the Peninsular Ranges Natural history of the Santa Monica Mountains Natural history of the Transverse Ranges